Twirling Mysteries

As they closed their eyes, Zelda once again listened to the music. The vibration hit her feet and they felt the beat. One, two, three, four, jump. They knew the routine by now. They had started individual classes with the ballet instructor a month ago. And before that, they had been taking classes with several other teenagers. They hummed as they jumped again, twirling twice in the air.

"Alright, good job Zelda. Do you think you're ready to try the routine with the class next week?" Her ballet instructor, Ms. Riverson, an elderly lady, who always looked serious, questioned her.

Zelda shrugged and pushed their hair out of her face. Then nodded. "Yes ma'am. I'm positive I have it memorized this time!" They grinned, enthusiasm washing over them.

The individual grabbed their backpack and water, heading for the door of the studio. They waved at the teacher before running out. As soon as they were out of the classroom, they slipped off their ballet shoes and placed their sneakers back on their feet.

As Zelda ran out of the studio, they almost ran into an ex boyfriend, Mark. They rolled their eyes. The two had broken up two years ago and still despised each other. "Hey loser." They said, moving their hair to hide their new hearing aid.

"Yeah yeah keep it coming." Mark wandered into the studio, winking as he strolled past them. His laugh could still be heard as he walked away.

Zelda rolled their eyes and bounced out of the studio, laughing. Then pulled out their cell phone to call their mom to come pick them up. However, the phone just kept ringing on the other line and then went to voicemail.

"Alright, fine. I'll just call Joseph." They called their ex stepfather but didn't get an answer there or even when they tried dialing their father's cell number.

They sat down on the lawn in front of the studio and closed their eyes, relaxing while waiting for Zelda's ride to arrive. By four o'clock, Zelda gave up on waiting after watching Mark's newest boyfriend pick him up.

They got up and went back inside, seeing if anyone in the current class was willing to transport them back home. No such luck.

The building was eerily silent, actually. The lights flickered and every shadow Zelda saw played tricks on her mind. It seemed strange. There should be a class right now - just like there was every Friday night at six o'clock.

Their thoughts were disrupted and they let out a shout of surprise as their phone rang, interrupting the ghostly silence.

After a quick greeting, Zelda made an agreement with their mother to pick them up in an hour.

"Still, means I'm stuck here until it's after dark. Guess I'll call Mark. Maybe he'll bring me home." They thought out loud. They tried and seemed relieved when the phone call was answered.

"Can you come back to the studio and pick me up?" They pleaded with him, their voice shaking as they detested being there alone.

"Uh …. Why? So you can dump me again?" He asked, a snarky reply.

"No. My mom can't pick me up for half an hour and I'm stuck inside the studio. Mark, the lights are flickering. Nobody is here right now."

"I'm on my way." He hung up, arriving a bit later.

Zelda hopped in his car, glancing at him. His face was a smirk, making it clear he was attempting not to laugh at her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Clearly, it's not nothing. Just say what you wish to. I'm already having a bad day."

"Obviously. Your hair is a mess." Matt laughed, handing her a scrunchie from inside his vehicle's console.

They took it greatfully and tied their hair up in a bun. Then rode silently on the way to their house.

They grabbed their things and got out of the car, thanking their ex for the ride.

Zelda rushed to the kitchen, messily throwing their things down on the floor in front of the door.

"Zelda? Is that you honey?" Their mother yelled from upstairs, running down and into the kitchen.

Zelda was preparing a quick dinner and looked up to see both their parents in the doorway.

Their father looked anxious. Then at their mother. "Julie, are you sure she's ready to hear this?"

"She's got to sometime. It's better she learn this now."

"Guys stop. Before you continue, I am going to remind you. It is they and them. I do not use she or her pronouns. Stop it." They stormed out of the room, ignoring the approaching footsteps of both their parents behind them.

Then stormed into their room, slamming the door shut. Not even a moment later, it was thrown open. "Zelda, we need to talk. It's about your parents."

"But you're my parents."

Jim sighed and glanced at Julie. They shook their heads in sync, frowning. "We haven't been completely honest with you Zelda. We're not your parents. We adopted you and we love you but we are not your biological parents."

"Shut up! You are too! This is not funny!" Zelda stormed past them and out of the house.

They ran down the street, memories of all their firsts playing through their head. They stopped at the end of the street and collapsed on the ground, sobbing.